Former heroin addict remanded in custody

A woman whose case was adjourned from Mullingar to be heard in Tullamore has had it returned back to Mullingar.

Anne Connolly was arrested on the weekend of March 14 and at a special court on that day was remanded in custody to appear at Mullingar District Court on March 19.

Ms Connolly faced three charges of failing to appear at court having been released on bail to appear on a certain date. Two of those charges relate to Mullingar and one to Tullamore.

She also faced a charge of theft at New Look, Mullingar in February of this year, and two charges from Tullamore. Her address at the time of the offences was 56 Newlands, Mullingar.

Judge Eamon O’Brien returned all of Ms Connolly’s cases to Tullamore, saying he was not disposed to split them up.

He also refused a request from Mr Louis Kiernan that Ms Connolly be granted bail.

When Ms Connolly appeared at Tullamore District Court on March 25, Judge Gerard Haughton sent the Mullingar cases back to be dealt with on March 26, saying he had no jurisdiction to deal with them.

Tullamore District Court heard how on March 4 2008 a Garda search on Ms Connolly’s then home at 24 Cluain Fia in Clara, Co Offaly yielded €1,350 heroin which she admitted was for sale or supply.

There was also €10 worth of cannabis for her own use.

Mr Donal Farrelly acting on behalf of Ms Connolly said she was actively dealing with her addiction and had been involved as a witness in a recent difficult trial. She is now clean.

Judge Haughton remanded Ms Connolly, who currently has no fixed address, to appear before him again in two weeks. She will remain in custody until then.

He said he would be imposing a custodial sentence if dealing with the case immediately, but was giving her an opportunity to show where she would live and what treatment she is receiving before he makes a final decision on whether she will be released to remain under the supervision of the Probation Service.